Revised COVID-19 restrictions on congregational singing (12 July 2021)

TO: Clergy, lay readers, and choir directors
FROM: Bishop Bruce Myers

After choirs, I’m happy to report that it’s now the turn of congregations to have pandemic-related restrictions on singing relaxed by public health authorities.

Effective immediately, congregational singing may resume under the following conditions:

• Individuals from different households must be seated at least two metres apart;
• Individuals in the congregation must wear masks while singing.

Choirs are also permitted to sing under the following conditions:

• Masks are not required, but each singer must maintain a minimum distance of two metres from other people or be separated by a physical barrier (a full partition);
• After each service, the floor of the work area of each singer must be cleaned.

If desired, more than one individual may again read lessons or offer the prayers of intercession during a liturgy. However, it is still recommended that different individuals avoid using the same lectern and/or microphone.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or Archdeacon Edward Simonton.